Criminal Record Certificate Translation for Canada

The Turkish document in the context of the IRCC police certificate

IRCC asks for a police certificate from every country the applicant has lived in; the document submitted for the Turkish record is the Turkish criminal record certificate. Which country you are providing the document for, and under which application, has to be confirmed in the IRCC guidance. The document is read together with the application form and the passport, and since inconsistent handling of Turkish special characters can make one person look like another, the translation carries names and identity details across as they are written on the official documents, without interpreting them. Where the application also covers family members, planning from the outset for a separate document and a separate translation per person speeds matters up.

The distinction between the record and the archive record

In Türkiye the document can be obtained either as a criminal record certificate or as a criminal record archive certificate; the two cover different ground. For certain applications IRCC may ask for the archive certificate, which shows the history in full. The translation states correctly, by name, which type the document is; translating an archive certificate merely as a “criminal record” misrepresents its scope. Confirming in the application guidance which type is wanted avoids having the wrong document translated and starting the process over.

The “no record” statement is the substance of the document

In most cases the only substantive information a criminal record certificate carries is whether or not the person has a record. The statement that there is no criminal record is the substance of the document and is translated plainly and in full; in English it is met by a phrase along the lines of “no records”, but the translation conveys what the document says. Where there is a record, every line, the nature of the offence, the decision and the date, is reproduced exactly; no section is summarised. The document is short but legally weighty, and it is carried across without commentary.

An accredited translator, or an affidavit

IRCC expects the translation to be made by an accredited translator registered with a provincial translators’ association such as ATIO, OTTIAQ or STIBC; where the translator is not registered, a sworn declaration (affidavit) is attached to the translation. The translator’s name, membership details and signature must be visible in the translation. On an e-Devlet printout, the QR code and the verification reference are indicated with [QR code] and [e-signature verification] notes; no attempt is made to decode the contents of the code. Since Canada has two official languages, whether the document is to be translated into English or into French must be confirmed before you apply.

If there is a record: getting the legal terms right

Where the document does contain a record, each entry is translated so that its legal meaning survives; concepts such as a judicial fine, imprisonment, a suspended sentence or the deferral of the announcement of the verdict are not equated one to one with an institution of Canadian law. Turning a Turkish sentence directly into a Canadian offence category leaves the immigration officer with a false impression of equivalence; the sound approach is to translate the concept faithfully and add a parenthetical explanation where necessary. The nature of the offence, the relevant statutory provision, the decision and the date are carried across as they stand. Any wording on the restoration of forfeited rights or on the deletion of the record is translated too, without omission, because such wording shows the current legal status of the record. IRCC makes its own admissibility assessment from this raw information; the job of the translation is not to interpret, but to convey the document in full.

Apostille or consular legalisation, and how recent the document is

Canada’s position under the Hague Apostille Convention changed recently; confirm both on the official HCCH list and with the authority that will receive the document whether it should be submitted with an apostille or by way of consular legalisation. Because a criminal record certificate shows a state of affairs on a given date, it needs to be recently issued; the translation reproduces the date of issue exactly and cannot bring an old document up to date. Before you submit:

• Verify from an official source whether the route is an apostille or consular legalisation.
• Meet the requirement for an accredited translator or an affidavit.
• Have the document translated while it is fresh; obtain the legalisation or apostille before the translation.

You can see the level of certification other documents require on our document types page, review the cost on our pricing page, and upload your document for a quote. Translations are handled from our single office in Ankara Kızılay. Details vary from one procedure to another, so check with the institution before you apply.